South West Ukip MEP Dr Julia Reid has said her hope is to prevent the EU from expanding its control over the UK.

She said: "As a professional researcher, I have spent most of my working life investigating ways of improving public health.

"But when I accepted a job four years ago to turn my research skills into finding out exactly what the EU does, and intends to do, I found myself in quite different territory.

"That's why I am so delighted that the people of the South West have entrusted me with the task of representing them in the European Parliament for the next five years – or hopefully, less.

"Contrary to what is sometimes said about us, Ukip MEPs and their staff are extremely hardworking and dedicated.

"Unlike the other parties, however, we are dedicated to preventing the EU from expanding its control over us, rather than helping it.

"No-one who votes Ukip is in any doubt that they are voting for people who want to get our country back – as my esteemed colleague William Dartmouth would say: 'Out of the EU, Into the World'.

"I can assure everyone who voted Ukip last week that William and I will leave no stone unturned, no crevice un-illuminated, no ghastly directive or regulation unchallenged.

"We will do everything we can to put ourselves out of a job. In the meantime, we can use our significant expertise in the workings of the EU institutions to help South West businesses to get the best advantage from it – or despite it.